Diploma in SIL/HIL: Plant Integration and Control
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in SIL/HIL plant and control integration: 8 modules covering in-the-loop testing and the V-model, real-time plant modelling, software-in-the-loop testing, hardware-in-the-loop rigs, interface standards and automation, plant and control integration, and validation and functional safety, with an assigned technical tutor.
Diploma in SIL/HIL: Plant Integration and Control — studying from the United Kingdom
Data science, artificial intelligence and simulation are central to engineering practice across the United Kingdom, with strong hubs in London, Cambridge, Oxford, Bristol and Edinburgh. Universities, research institutes such as the Alan Turing Institute and industrial users in aerospace, automotive, energy and finance demand skills in modelling, machine learning and computational analysis. Engineering simulation tools are widely used for design validation and digital twins. Organisations seek professionals who can turn large datasets into engineering decisions while meeting data protection and governance requirements.
Fees for the United Kingdom: £1,490 (Pound sterling), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in the United Kingdom
Typical roles
Questions from the United Kingdom
Which UK bodies recognise data and AI qualifications?
In the UK, the British Computer Society (BCS), the Royal Statistical Society (RSS) and the Institute of Analytics are relevant professional bodies, and the IET covers many engineering-related AI and data areas. SEIUM's qualifications are private and not accredited by these bodies. Check directly with BCS or RSS whether your study would be considered towards their membership or certification.
Do UK employers in data and AI value private online qualifications?
UK employers in finance, retail, health, technology and public sector analytics typically assess candidates on technical skills, portfolio work and experience with real data. A private qualification may help demonstrate specialist learning, but its value depends on each employer's judgement. Publishing projects and showing practical results will usually matter most.
Can I study this online from the UK alongside work, and what English level is required?
Yes, the programmes are fully online and can be studied from anywhere in the UK without a student visa. Teaching is in English, so you need a solid working level of technical English. An assigned technical tutor will support you. Check the programme hours against your working commitments and ask about instalment payments or employer sponsorship.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Plan MIL, SIL, PIL and HIL test strategies within the V-model.
Develop plant models that run in real time.
Implement SIL environments integrated into continuous integration.
Configure HIL rigs with I/O interfaces and communication buses.
Automate tests using ASAM standards.
Integrate plants and controllers while ensuring stability and synchronisation.
Generate validation evidence for functional safety.
Who it's for
- HIL test engineers.
- Embedded software validation engineers.
- Control systems engineers.
- Real-time modelling engineers.
- Functional safety engineers.
- Test automation engineers.
- Engineering or science graduates aiming to enter the automotive sector.
What you'll work with
- ISO 26262:2018 (road vehicles functional safety)
- ASAM XIL 2.2 (test bench interface API)
- IEC 61508:2010 (functional safety of E/E/PE safety-related systems)
- ASAM MDF 4.2 (measurement data format)
- AUTOSAR Classic Platform (automotive software architecture)
- ASAM OpenSCENARIO (driving scenario description)
- ISO 21448:2022 (safety of the intended functionality, SOTIF)
- DO-178C (airborne software certification)
- MATLAB/Simulink
- dSPACE SCALEXIO
- NI VeriStand
- Vector CANoe
- Speedgoat Simulink Real-Time
8 modules
1.1The V-model and test levels1.2MIL, SIL, PIL and HIL1.3Testing requirements in ISO 262621.4Shift-left and virtualisation1.5Architecture of a test rig1.6Plants, controllers and environments1.7Managing test requirements1.8Costs and return on virtualisation1.9In-the-loop regression testing1.10Workshop: MIL-to-HIL test strategy for an ECU
2.1Real-time requirements for models2.2Fixed-step integration2.3Model simplification and reduction2.4Engine, battery and vehicle models2.5Sensor and actuator models2.6Exporting plants as FMUs2.7Calculating the timing budget2.8Validating the plant model2.9Partitioning across multiple cores2.10Lab: real-time battery plant with Simulink
3.1Compiling control software for PC3.2Virtual ECUs and virtualisation levels3.3Integrating AUTOSAR Classic in SIL3.4Code generation with Embedded Coder3.5Model-to-code back-to-back testing3.6Code coverage and MC/DC3.7Integration into CI pipelines3.8Faster-than-real-time SIL execution3.9Calibration management3.10Practical exercise: SIL of a cruise controller
4.1Architecture of a HIL simulator4.2dSPACE, NI and Speedgoat platforms4.3Analogue and digital I/O interfaces4.4Emulating sensors and electrical loads4.5Electrical fault injection4.6CAN, CAN FD, LIN and Ethernet buses4.7Synchronisation and latency4.8Rig and operator safety4.9Rig maintenance and calibration4.10Lab: HIL of an engine controller
5.1The ASAM XIL API5.2The ASAM MDF measurement format5.3XCP and ASAM MCD protocols5.4ASAM OpenSCENARIO scenarios5.5Road description with ASAM OpenDRIVE5.6Test languages and frameworks5.7Automation with Python and TestStand5.8Test case management5.9Automatic report generation5.10Practical exercise: automated sequence with ASAM XIL
6.1Interface between plant and controller6.2Signal and unit scaling6.3Closed loops and stability in HIL6.4Effect of delays and sampling6.5Real-time co-simulation with FMUs6.6Multiphysics plants on FPGA6.7Restbus simulation of the network6.8Power electronics control6.9Synchronisation with environment simulators6.10Case study: integration of a traction inverter
7.1Requirements-based testing7.2Fault injection testing7.3Qualification of test tools7.4Traceability between requirements, tests and results7.5Test exit criteria7.6ADAS scenario testing7.7Evidence for the safety case7.8Defect management7.9Test quality metrics7.10Case study: HIL validation of a braking function
8.1Definition of the controller under test8.2Real-time plant model8.3SIL environment with continuous integration8.4HIL rig configuration8.5Test cases and automation8.6Fault injection campaign8.7Coverage and results analysis8.8Validation report8.9Report and presentation8.10Final project: final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within the intake, so it fits around your job.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is MATLAB/Simulink, dSPACE SCALEXIO, NI VeriStand, Vector CANoe and Speedgoat Simulink Real-Time, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied on real procedures: hardware-in-the-loop testing of electronic control units, SIL validation integrated into continuous integration and electrical fault injection campaigns. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final capstone project.
Standards covered: ISO 26262:2018, ASAM XIL 2.2, IEC 61508:2010, ASAM MDF 4.2, AUTOSAR Classic Platform, ASAM OpenSCENARIO, ISO 21448:2022, DO-178C.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector. No university degree is required.
- An internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme software.
- English sufficient to read technical standards.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme totals 800 hours over 6–8 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.
You work with MATLAB/Simulink, dSPACE SCALEXIO, NI VeriStand, Vector CANoe and Speedgoat Simulink Real-Time, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.
A SEIUM Institute diploma, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the final project. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.
Yes. Modules passed are recognised in a higher programme in the same area (postgraduate diploma or master's). Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.
Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector (no university degree required), a computer able to run the programme software and English sufficient to read technical standards.
Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.
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